Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt has been diagnosed with a shoulder injury and ruled out for four weeks. Photograph: Ibrahim Usta/AP

Dirk Kuyt has not given up hope of making an emotional return to Utrecht later this month despite being ruled out for four weeks with a shoulder injury.

The Liverpool striker is expected to be absent until Blackpool visit Anfield on 3 October after scans revealed the extent of the injury he suffered in training with Holland on Monday. "Dirk has damaged his shoulder at the A-C joint, which is between the collar bone and the shoulder," said Dr Peter Brukner, Liverpool's Head of Sports Medicine and Sports Science. "He is likely to be out for four weeks."

Kuyt's injury is a serious setback for manager Roy Hodgson, who is scheduled to lose the Dutch international for Premier League games against Birmingham City, Sunderland and Manchester United, a Carling Cup tie with Northampton Town plus Europa League group matches against Steaua Bucharest and Utrecht. Hodgson is short of options in right midfield, where Kuyt usually operates, and also lacks cover for Fernando Torres after Liverpool failed to sign a much-needed striker before the recent transfer deadline.

The 30-year-old started his professional career with Utrecht, where he made 160 appearances and won the only trophy of his career so far – the 2003 Dutch Cup, and is understandably desperate to return when Liverpool travel to Holland on 30 September.

Kuyt, who is believed to have sustained the injury while attempting a bicycle kick, said: "I hope I will make it [for Utrecht] but it all depends on how the injury heals in the first few days. I knew I'd put something out and I pushed it back, but afterwards I was in a lot of pain so I went to the hospital where they found I had torn muscles. I have made a thousand of these moves without any problems. It is very frustrating."

Hodgson now has only David Ngog, who has impressed in the early weeks of the season, Ryan Babel, who was offered in exchange for West Ham United's striker Carlton Cole on transfer deadline day, and 19-year-old Daniel Pacheco to ease the burden on Torres during Kuyt's absence. Joe Cole, however, will be available following Liverpool's trip to Birmingham on Sunday when he completes a three-match suspension for his dismissal against Arsenal on the opening day of the season.